PMP Training Enrollment Rose as Firms UpSkill Staff
Managers are shifting toward internal certification programs to mitigate the growing global talent gap.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Remote Work
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Advised Skills has reported a surge in enrollment for PMP exam preparation courses as organizations prioritize certifying existing staff over external hiring. This trend reflects an effort to address tightening labor markets in a field that reached a global workforce size of 39.6 million in 2025.
Why it matters
Employers are pivoting to internal training because it is faster and more cost-effective than competing for outside project management talent. This approach serves as a defensive strategy against a potential industry shortfall of 29.8 million professionals by 2035.
The global project management workforce reached 39.6 million in 2025, while the sector faces a projected talent shortfall of 29.8 million by 2035. Demand for these specific skills is expected to rise by 64% over the next decade.
The players
Advised Skills
A UK-based provider of professional certification training that has operated since 2013.
Project Management Institute
A global professional organization that sets industry standards and publishes research on workforce trends.
The details
Organizations are leveraging PMP credentials to standardize internal staff capabilities rather than seeking new hires in a competitive job market. Advised Skills, which operates across more than 20 countries, provides this training through its authorized exam preparation programs. This model allows firms to scale project management capacity internally, bypassing the recruitment costs typically associated with high-demand professional roles.
Timeline
Advised Skills began operations in 2013.
The Project Management Institute published its Talent Gap report in May 2025.
The global project management workforce reached 39.6 million in 2025.
Advised Skills reported the enrollment increase on September 29, 2026.
Project management roles will see net job growth through 2030.
Market Landscape
The shift toward internal certification follows workforce projections from the Project Management Institute, which anticipates a significant talent gap through 2035. This trend suggests that businesses are moving away from traditional recruitment to meet the projected 64% increase in demand for project management skills.
Operators should evaluate whether current project management skill gaps are better addressed by internal training programs rather than recruitment. Review certification costs against the long-term expense of hiring to determine if upskilling current staff provides a more stable headcount strategy.
The takeaway
Upskilling existing staff is becoming the primary operational response to the projected 64% increase in demand for project management expertise. Managers should monitor the 2030 net job growth window as a benchmark for their own talent procurement and training budget cycles.
Further reading
For broader trends on how companies manage global hiring and skill retention, see our Remote Work section.
More information
Visit the Advised Skills official corporate website to view training program details.
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